New task at Fußball-Zwerg
German coach makes history
October 17, 2025 – 8:05 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
Lars Hopp takes over the reins in an exotic location – even in a double role.
Jürgen Klinsmann in the USA, Winfried Schäfer in Cameroon, Christoph Daum in Turkey – the list of illustrious German coaching personalities who have made a name for themselves abroad as football development workers could receive a new entry: Lars Hopp, former assistant coach at VfB Lübeck, will become the national coach of Vanuatu. He is the first German to hold this office.
The 49-year-old will also be taking over the reins at Vanuatu United FC in a dual role in the South Pacific. With the club, Hopp will take part in the OFC Pro League, which will start for the first time in 2026.
The country with its around 328,000 inhabitants wants to “increase competitiveness” and “promote player development at national and international level” with the Kiel native, the national football association (VFF) announced in a statement on Friday: “With over 20 years of coaching experience – including more than 100 international games at youth and professional level – Hopp brings comprehensive expertise to both teams.”
Before his employment in Lübeck, Hopp was, among other things, head of the youth department at FSV Zwickau (2018/19) and previously looked after various youth national teams in Estonia.
Hopp is looking forward to his new task with great anticipation. “Hopefully together we can take football in Vanuatu to a higher level. What I have seen so far suggests to me that there is great potential, but also a lot of work,” said the coach: “For this we need the support of everyone involved, and part of my job will be to ensure that everyone who wants to help can do their part.”